Abstract

Traditional medicines are used globally for management of rheumatoid arthritis since prehistoric times. This review emphasizes on the Indian medicinal flora and their traditional utilization in the management of rheumatoid arthritis. Peer reviewed articles from the last three decades and the classical textbooks were examined for bibliographic investigation. Plant extract traditionally used for ameliorating arthritic condition have been studied in the present review. 124 plants, traditionally used in the management of arthritis have been recorded. This study reflects the need to explore potential chemical moieties from unexploited plants in arthritic management along with the mechanism of action through which they would act, remain to be studied

Keywords

Anti-arthritic activity, Chemical moieties medicinal plants

Introduction

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, progressive, and systemic inflammatory disorder. It preferentially affects the synovial membranes of joints and eventually leads to bone and cartilage destruction. RA affects 0.5%–1% of the adult population worldwide; the disease targets patients from every ethnic background and predominately females (2- or 3-fold more often than males). Although RA can occur at any age, it is more frequent among individuals in the fourth to sixth decades of life [1]. As a chronic disease which causes irreversible joint damage, RA exacts high costs from both the patients and society at large. The clinical manifestations of RA can be classified as articular and extra-articular. RA is indicated by fever, asthenia, fatigue, myalgia, and weight loss which appear before or concomitantly with the onset of the articular manifestations like synovial thickening, erythema, warmth and decreased mobility.

Pathophysiology

RA is associated with several genetic and environmental factors that contribute the phenotype in different combinations (Figure 1). RA is initiated by immune complexes and complement system, perpetuated by cytokines, and affected by metalloproteinases [2]. Antigen-activated CD4+ T cells stimulate monocytes, macrophages, and synovial fibroblasts which in turn lead to the production of cytokines interleukin-1, interleukin-6, and TNFa and secretion of matrix metalloproteinases through cell-surface signalling [3]. In early RA, large amount of neutrophils are present in synovial fluid [4]. Chronically, hypertrophy and hyperplasia forms projections into the joint capsule. Immune complexes found in the synovial fluid often are IgG/anti-IgG antigen-antibody complex [5]. In RA bone erosions caused by osteoclasts and proteolytic enzymes causes cartilage dissolution [6]. Rheumatoid factors (IgM & IgA) are key pathogenic markers [7].

Figure 1: Possible molecular mechanism for arthritis

Material and Methods

In this review, bibliographic investigation was done to retrieve articles available in the worldwide scientific databases viz. SCOPUS, PUBMED, SCIELO, NISCAIR and Google Scholar. Botanical names of plants were verified from International Plant Names Index, 2014 and the plant list, 2014. The inclusion criteria for the selection of plants includes (i) medicinal herbs with reported animal studies in management of arthritis, (ii) compounds isolated from medicinal plants with attributed potential in relieving arthritis and (iii) we limited studies to those published in the English language.

Results

One hundred and twenty four plants were reviewed from classical text books for their traditional use in rheumatoid arthritis (Table 1).

S.No.

Name

Family

Common name

Part used

Disease

References

1.

Acacia polyantha

Mimosaceae

Svetakhair, kadarah

Heartwood

Rheumatism

AryaVaidyaSala[19]

2.

Achilleamillefolium Linn.

Compositae

Gandana

Plant

Rheumatism

Kritikar KR[8]

3.

Adenantherapavonina Linn.

Mimosaceae

Barigumchi, raktachandana

Leaves

Chronic rheumatism, gout

4.

AlangiumlamarkiiThwaites.

Alangiaceae

Akhaul, akola

Leaves

Rheumatic pains

5.

Alangium salviifolium Wang

Alangiaceae

Angol, dhera

Roots

Rheumatism

AryaVaidyaSala[19]

6.

Alpiniagalanga(L.) Willd.

Zingiberaceae

Kulanajn

Rhizomes

Rheumatoid arthritis

7.

ApiumgraveolensLinn.

Umbelliferae

Ajmud, boriajmud

Seeds

Rheumatism

Kritikar KR[8]

8.

AzimatetracanthaLam.

Salvadoraceae

Kantagurkamai

Root bark, leaves

Rheumatism

9.

BassialatifoliaRoxb.

Sapotaceae

Mahua, janglimohva

Bark

Rheumatism

10

BassialongifoliaLinn.

Sapotaceae

Mahua, moha

Bark

Rheumatism

11.

CaesalpiniasappanLinn.

Caesalpiniaceae

Bakam, patang, tairi

Wood

Rheumatism

12.

CarthamustinctoriusLinn.

Compositae

Barre, kussum

Seeds oil

Pain in joints, rheumatism

13.

Cassia fistula Linn.

Caesalpiniaceae

Amaltas, girmala

Leaves and fruits

Rheumatism

14.

Cassia fistula Linn.

Caesalpiniaceae

Amaltas, girmal

Fruits

Rheumatism

AryaVaidyaSala [20]

15.

CichoriumintybusLinn.

Compositae

Kasni

Root

Inflammation and pain in joints

16.

Cinchona officinalisLinn.

Rubiaceae

Kunain

Bark

Arthralgia

17.

CirhoriumintybusLinn.

Asteraceae

Kasni

Whole plant

Arthralgia

18.

Citrulluscolocynthis(L.) Schrad.

Cucurbitaceae

Badi- indrayan, makkal

Roots

Rheumatalgia

AryaVaidyaSala[20]

19.

Commiphoramyrrha (nees)Engl.

Burseraceae

Bol, hirabol

Gum

Rheumatoid arthritis

20.

Commiphorawightii (arn.)Bhandari

Burseraceae

Hill-mango

Leaves

Rheumatalgia

21.

Corallocarpus epigeous (Rottler) Hook.f.

Cucurbitaceae

Akasgaddah, rakasgaddah

Plant

Rheumatism

Kritikar KR[8]

22.

CordiadichotomaG.Forst.

Boraginaceae

Lasura, lasora

Fruits

Arthralalgia

23.

CotulaanthemoidesLour.

Compositae

Babuna, babunah

Plant oil

Rheumatism

24.

Dasticacannabina Linn.

Datiscaceae

Akalbir, bhangjala

Root

Rheumatism

25.

Delonixelanta(L.) Gamble

Caesalpiniaceae

Tiger bean, sankasura

Plant

Rheumatism

26.

DichrostachyscinereaLinn.

Mimosaceae

Vurttulli, kheri

Roots

Arthralagia

27.

DichrostachyscinereaWight &Arn.

Mimosaceae

Kheri, vartuli

Root

Rheumatism

28.

DiospyroscandolleanaWight

Ebenaceae

Kari, karikkattai

Bark

Rheumatism

29.

DiospyrospaniculataDalzell

Ebenaceae

Karivella, karunduvarai

Bark

Rheumatism

30.

Drynariaquercifolia(Linn.)

Polypodiaceae

Asvakatri, katikapan

Rhizomes

Arthralagia

AryaVaidyaSala[20]

31.

Echinopsechinatus

Compositae

Gokhru, utakanta

Plant

Pain in joints

32.

EphorbiaantiquorumLinn.

Euphorbiaceae

Tidhara

Juice

Rheumatism

33.

Eugenia operculataRoxb.

Myrtaceae

Dugdugia, jamawa

Fruit

Rheumatism

Kritikar KR[8]

34.

Eugenia spicataLam.

Myrtaceae

Puvala, bhedas

Plant

Rheumatism

35.

Euphorbia ligulariaRoxb.

Euphorbiaceae

Sehund, thuhar

Whole plant

Rheumatism

36.

Ferula narthexBoiss.

Umbelliferae

Hing, hingra

Stem, leaves

Rherumatism

37.

FicusbenghalensisLinn.

Moraceae

Bat, bargad

Aerial root, bark, leaves, buds, fruits, latex

Antiarthritic

AryaVaidyaSala [21] Kritikar KR[8] AryaVaidyaSala [21] Kritikar KR[8]

38.

Flacourtiajangomasrausch.

Flacourtiaceae

Paniyala, paniyamalak

Fruits

Rheumatism

39.

FritillariaroyleiHook. F.

Liliaceae

Kakoli

Bulbs

Rheumatalgia

40.

Glycosmisarborea(Roxb.)Dc.

Rutaceae

Girgiti,potali

Whole plant

Rheumatism

41.

GossypiumherbaceumLinn.

Malvaceae

Kapas, ruyi

Leaves

Rheumatoid arthritis

42.

Grangeamaderaspatana(L.) Poir.

Compositae

Mukhatari, mustaru

Root

Rheumatism

43.

HeliotropiumindicumnLinn.

Boraginaceae

Siriyari, hattasura

Whole plant

Rheumatism

44.

Hemidesmusindicus(Linn.) R.br.

Asclepiadaceae

Anantamul, magrabu

Roots

Arthralgia

45.

Hiptagebenghalensis(Linn.) Kurz

Malpighiaceae

Madhavilata, madhumalati

Bark, leaves, flowers

Rheumatism

46.

HolarrhenapubescensWall. ex G.Don

Apocynaceae

Kurci, kuda

Bark, seeds

Rheumatism

47.

Holoptelaintegrifolia(Roxb.) Planch.

Ulmaceae

Cilbil, kanju

Bark, leaves

Rheumatism

48.

HyoscyamusnigerLinn.

Solanaceae

Khurasaniajavayan, khurassanijamani

Leaves, seeds

Rheumatoid arthritis

49.

IlliciumverumHook. F.

Magnoliaceae

Anasphal

Fruits

Rheumarthritis

50 .

InularacemosaHook. F.

Asteraceae

Pohakarmul, puskarmul

Roots

Arthralgia

51.

Ipomoea nil (Linn.) Roth

Convolvulaceae

Kaladana, jharmaric

Seeds

Arthralgia

52.

JasminumgrandiflorumLinn.

Oleaceae

Chambeli

Root

Rheumatism

53.

Jasminummultiflorum(Burm.f.) Andr.

Oleaceae

Kundphul

Flowers

Rheumatism

54.

JatrophacurcasLinn.

Euphorbiaceae

Jungle erand, paharierand

Seeds (oil)

Rheumatism

55.

JuglansregiaLinn. Var. Kumaonia dc.

Juglandaceae

Akhor, akhrot

Fruits

Rheumatism

56.

JusticiagendarussaBurm.f.

Acanthaceae

Nilinirgundi, udisambhalu

Roots, leaves

Rheumatism

57.

Kaempferia galangal Linn.

Zingiberaceae

Candramula

Rhizomes, root-stock, leaves

Rheumatism

58.

Lantana camaraLinn. Var. Aculeate (Linn.)Moldenke

Verbenaceae

Caturang, ghaneri

Fruits

Rheumatism

59.

Launaeapinnatifida

Compositae

Bankau

Plant juice

Rheumatism

60.

Lawsoniainermis Linn.

Lythraceae

Mehanti, hena

Leaves

Rheumatalgia

61.

Leucasaspera(Willd.) Link

Lamiaceae

Chotahalkkusa

Leaves, flowers

Arthralgia

62.

LiliumpolyphyllumD.Don

Liliaceae

Ksirakakoli

Bulb

Rheumatalgia

63.

Madhucalongifolia(Koenig) Macbride

Sapotaceae

Mahva, mohva

Seed (oil)

Rheumatism

64.

MangiferaindicaLinn.

Anacardiaceae

Aam, aamb

Roots, bark

Rheumatism

65.

Matricaria chamomilla Linn.

Compositae

Babuna

Oil

Rheumatism

Kritikar KR[8]

66.

MelaleucaleucadendronLinn.

Myrtaceae

Kayaputi

Plant oil

Rheumatism

67.

Mimosa pudicaLinn.

Mimosaceae

Lajjavanti, lajvanti

Whole plant

Rheumatism

Kritikar KR[8] AryaVaidyaSala[22]

68.

MomordicacharantiaLinn.

Cucurbitaceae

Karela, kareli

Fruit

Rheumatalgia

69.

Momordicacochinchinensis

Cucurbitaceae

Gangerua, kathaamala

Root

Rheumatism

70.

MyrtuscommunisLinn.

Myrtaceae

Murad, vilayatimehndi

Fruit

Rheumatism

71.

MyxopyrumserratulumaW.Hill

Oleaceae

Pilacameli

Leaves

Rheumatism

72.

Naraveliazeylanica(Linn.)

Ranunculaceae

Needamalli

Whole plant

Rheumatalgia

73.

Nilgirianthus ciliates (Nees) Bremek.

Acanthaceae

Karvi, kara

Roots

Rheumatalgia

74.

Nyctanthes arbor-tristisLinn.

Oleaceae

Har, harsinghar

Leaves

Rheumatism

75.

OcimumbasilicumLinn.

Lamiaceae

Babul, babuyitulsi

Whole plant

Arthralgia, rheumatoid arthritis

76.

OleacuspidataWall. &G.Don

Oleaceae

Kahu, kau

Root

Rheumatism

77.

Operculinaturpethum(Linn.) Silva manso

Convolvulaceae

Nisoth, tarbut

Roots

Arthralgia

78.

PaederiafoetidaLinn.

Rubiaceae

Bakuchi, somraj

Whole plant

Rheumatism

79.

Pavettaindica Linn.

Rubiaceae

Kankra, papari

Wood

Rheumatism

80.

Piper betleLinn.

Piperaceae

Pan, tambuli

Whole plant

Rheumatism

81.

Piper cubeba Linn.f.

Piperaceae

Kababcini

Dreid unripe berries

Rheumatism

82.

Piper nigrumLinn.

Piperaceae

Kalimirc, mirc

Fruits

Arthritis

83.

PlumbagoroseaLinn.

Plumbaginaceae

Chitra,lalchita

Root

Rheumatic affections

84.

PlumbagozeylanicaLinn.

Plumbaginaceae

Chita, chitarak

Root

Rheumatism

85.

Plumieriaacutifolia

Apocynaceae

Chameli, gulachin

Root bark

Rheumatic pain

86.

PremnacorymbosaRottl.

Verbenaceae

Arni, ageta

Leaves

Rheumatalgia

87.

PrinsepiautilisRoyle

Rosaceae

Bekkra, bhekal

Shrub oil

Rheumatism

88.

ProsopisspicigeraL.

Mimosaceae

Chhikura, safedkikara

Bark

Rheumatism

89.

PsidiumguyavaLinn.

Myrtaceae

Amrud, amrut

Leaves

Rheumatism

90.

PterocarpusmarsupiumRoxb.

Fabaceae

Bijasal, vijayasar

Heartwood

Rheumatoid arthritis

91.

PuerariatuberosaDC.

Fabaceae

Vidarikand, sural

Roots

Arthritis

92.

Randiadumetorum

Rubiaceae

Arar, mainphal

Fruit

Rheumatism

93.

Rhazyastricta

Apocynaceae

Sundwar

Roots, stem, leaves, flowers

Chronic rheumatsim

94.

Rhododendron campanulatum

Ericaceae

Cherailu, chimul

Leaves

Chronic rheumatism

95.

RicinuscommunisLinn.

Euphorbiaceae

Erandi, erand

Leaves

Rheumatoid arthritis, arthralgia

96.

Rosa alba Linn.

Rosaceae

Gulab

Flower

Rheumatism

97.

RubiacordifoliaLinn.

Rubiaceae

Mamjith, majith

Roots

Rheumatoid arthritis

98.

RutachalepensisLinn.

Rutaceae

Pismaram, sadab, satari

Leaves

Rheumatalgia

Kritikar [8]
AryaVaidyaSala [23]

99.

Salvadoraoleoides

Salvadoraceae

Bahapilu, jhalawan

Seeds(oil)

Painful rheumatic affections

100.

Salvadorapersica Linn.

Salvadoraceae

Badapilu, jal

Leaves

Rheumatism

101.

Sarcocephalusmissionis

Rubiaceae

Attuvanni, attuvanji

Bark

Rheumatism

102.

Saussuraelappa

Compositae

Kot, pachak

Root

Rheumatism

103.

Schleicheraoleosa(Lour.) Oken

Sapindaceae

Kusum, kausum

Bark

Arthralgia

104.

SemecarpusanacardiumLinn.f.

Anacardiaceae

Bhela, bhilva

Fruits

Antiarthritic

105.

Sesbaniagrandiflora(Linn.) Poir.

Fabaceae

Hathya, agast, basna

Root-bark

Arthralgia

AryaVaidyaSala [23]

106.

Setariaitalica(Linn.) P.beauv

Poaceae

Kamguni,

Grains

Rheumatism

107.

Sidacordata(Burm.f.) Borssum

Malvaceae

Bananiyar, bhyunli

Roots

Arthritis

108.

SidarhombifoliaLinn.

Malvaceae

Janglimedhi

Roots, leaves

Rheumatism, arthritis

109.

SolanumsurattenseBurm.f.

Solanaceae

Rengani, kateli, kattay

Whole plant

Rheumatoid arthritis

110.

Spilanthesacmella

Compositae

Akarkarha, pokormul

Leaves

Rheumatism

Kritikar [8]

111.

Stereospermumcolais

Bignoniaceae

Paraal, paatar, paadrii

Leaves

Rheumatalgia

AryaVaidyaSala [23]

112.

Symplocoscochinchinensis(Lour.) Moore

Symplocaceae

Bholiya, sodh

Bark

Arthritis

113.

Tabernaemontanadivaricata(Linn.)

Apocynaceae

Chandni

Roots

Arthralgia

114.

Trachyspermumroxburghianum(DC.) Craib

Apiaceae

Ajmud, randhuni

Fruits

Rheumatoid arthritis

115.

TribulusterrestrisLinn.

Zygophyllaceae

Gokharu

Whole plant

Rheumarthritis

116.

Trichodesmaindicum(Linn.)R.br.

Boraginaceae

Andhahuli, chotta-kulpha

Whole plant

Arthralgia

117.

Trichosanthespalmata

Cucurbitaceae

Indrayanmahakal

Fruit

Rheumatism

Kritikar KR[8]

118.

Valerianawallichii

Valerianaceae

Barhana, chakra

Root

Pain in joints

119.

VateriaindicaLinn.

Dipterocarpaceae

Saphed dammar, kahruba

Seeds(oil)

Rheumatism

AryaVaidyaSala[23]

VitexnegundoLinn.

Verbenaceae

Samhalu, saubhalu, nirgandi

Roots

Arthritis

120.

VitextrifoliaLinn.

Verbenaceae

Saphed-samhalu, pani-ki-samhalu

Leaves

Arthralgia

121.

VitisviniferaLinn.

Vitaceae

Dakh, drakh

Stem(ash)

Arthralgia

122.

Xyliadolabriformis

Mimosaceae

Jambu

Seeds

Rheumatism

Kritikar KR[8]

Table 1 Plants ith raditional/folkloric use in arthritis

Out of 124 traditional plants Forty-four articles were used for citing the proved anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity in laboratory animals (Table 2).

Table 2. Description of plants containing various active constituents and their action in anti-arthritic activity

A total of 14 plants with potential anti-arthritic activity have been discussed below.

Alangium salviifolium wang. (Family: Alangiaceae)

Alangium salviifolium (AS) is a small deciduous tree or shrub, grows in the wild throughout the hotter parts of India (The wealth of India, 1952). The major chemical constituents of the plant are alangine A and B, alangicine, markindine, lamarckinine and emetine. The root of AS has been used in the Indian system of medicine as an acrid, diuretic, astringent and also as a antidote for several poisons. The fruit of the plant are useful in burning sensation and haemorrhages [8]. Different extracts of stem bark of AS were found to possess anti-arthritic activity using Freunds adjuant model in rats.

Caesalpinia sappan L. (Family: Leguminosae)

Caesalpinia sappan (CS) is a traditional medicinal plant grown in Asian countries and it is mainly used for anti-inflammatory activity and it also promotes blood flow. The plant was found to possess anti-arthritic activity in collagen-induced arthritis model in rats. Different doses of ethanolic extract produced significant attenuation in paw swelling, arthritis index, radiographic and histopathological changes were evaluated.

Delonix Elata (Family: Leguminosae)

Delonix elata (DE) (white gold mohur) is used traditionally for joint pains and in flatulence. The paste of leaves and bark is used by local people to reduce inflammation and pain [9]. Bark of DE was evaluated for the anti-arthritic activity using incomplete Freund’s adjuvant induced arthritis model in rats. Hydro-alcoholic (40%) extract (250 mg/kg p.o.) was found have significant inhibiting anti-arthritic activity rat paw edema after 14 and 21 days. The results were also significant when compared with Diclofenac.

Semecarpus anacardium Linn. (Family: Anacardiaceae)

Semecarpus anacardium (SA) commonly called “marking nut” has been used in Indian medicine in the treatment of gout, rheumatic pain and cancer. SA nut extract was evaluated using adjuvant arthritis model. Treatment with SA extract (150 mg/ kg) decreased the paw edema in both developing and developed adjuvant arthritis. Results indicated that the SA nut extract is a potential anti- arthritic agent [9].

Azima tetracantha Lam (Family: Salvodoraceae)

Azima tetracantha (AT) is known as Kundali in Ayurvedic medicine and also called uppimullu in kannada [8]. There are reports that the leaves juice is efficient against toothache and earache. In Indian tribes, leaves paste of AT is used to treat snakebites. Friedelin, a compound isolated from AT. Leaves were investigated for adjuvant-induced arthritis activity in Wistar rats and 54.5% of paw thickness in rats [10].

Chaenomeles speciosa(Sweet) Nakai (Family: Rosaceae)

Chaenomeles speciosa (CS) also known as mugua, tiegenghaitang, tiejiaoli or zhoupimugua and is distributed in Central, East and Southwest China and is now cultivated worldwide. According to traditional Chinese medicine, the fruit of CS, which is warm in nature and sour in flavor, has the ability to calm the liver, relax the muscles and tendons, harmonize the stomach and eliminate dampness. Roots of CS were investigated for anti-arthritic activity using collagen-induced arthritis model in rats. Doses of 30, 60, 120 mg/kg of extract inhibited the inflammatory response and restored body weight in arthritic rats.

Ficus bengalensis Linn (Family: Moraceae)

Ficus bengalensis (FB) is commonly known as Banyan tree [8] and is used in Ayurveda for diarrhea, dysentery, hypoglycemic, astringent, rheumatism as well as it was applied to gums to lessen inflammation. The bark of FB was investigated for its antirheumatic activity using the Complete Freund’s Adjuvant induced, formalin induced and Agar induced arthritis models. The extract (100, 200 and 300 mg/kg, i.p.) showed significant inhibitory effect on edema especially on secondary immunological arthritis and inhibited Formalin- induced pain [11].

Holarrhena pubescens (HP) is an Indian traditional medicinal plant, is commonly known as ‘kurchi’ in India (Kirtikar Basu and Nadkarni). Ethanolic extract of dried seeds of HP were investigated for their anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity. HP (400 mg/kg p.o.) extract showed maximum (74.07%) inhibition of carrageenan-induced rat paw edema, 62.63% inhibition of granuloma formation and 77.95% inhibition of adjuvant induced arthritic edema in rats when compared with Indomethacin [13].

Justicia gendarussa Burm F. (Family: Acanthaceae)

Justicia gendarussa (JG) is used in Indian and Chinese traditional medicine, the leaves of the plant is recommended to treat ailments such as rheumatism, arthritis, headache, earache, respiratory disorders, and digestive trouble. The anti-arthritic potential JG was evaluated using freund’s adjuvant-induced and collagen-induced arthritic rat models. The animals were treated with dose of 100 mg/kg of ethanolic extract of JG and with standard drug aspirin (360 mg/kg) showed significant anti-arthritic activity [14].

Psidium guajava (PG), commonly known as Guava, is used in the traditional medicine for the treatment of wounds, ulcers, bowels, and cholera (Begum et al.). Leaves of PG were evaluated for adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats. Dose of 250 and 500 mg/ kg p.o. of ethanolic extract of PG produced significant dose-dependent anti-arthritic activity in complete freund’s adjuvant-induced arthritis model.

Sida rhombifolia (Family: Malvaceae)

Sida rhombifolia (SR) has been used from prehistoric times for the treatment of gout in Indonesia. Effect of SR stem and root extracts using adjuvant induced arthritis model in experimental rats were evaluated. Extract was found to normalize the altered levels of hematological parameters. The elevated rate of erythrocyte sedimentation was also significantly reduced [16].

Discussion and Conclusion

Appropriate management of arthritis can reduce pain and help to overcome functional limitations to a greater extent. Medication, physical or occupational therapy, patient education, weight loss, and surgery may be included in treatment and management of arthritis [17]. Though conventional treatment of rheumatoid arthritis is improving, treatment still remains unsatisfactory as remission is rare. Therefore, search remains on going for effective alternative and additional therapies for this disease. A number of inexpensive herbal medicines have been reported in literature to be useful in rheumatoid arthritis due to their anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive potential. The literature of Ayurveda describes various plants, to be used as whole, in part or as extracts for treating painful and inflammatory conditions like arthritis. Matricaria chamomilla Linn., Cichorium intybus Linn., Rhododendron campanulatum, Plumbago rosea Linn., Salvadora oleoides, Acacia polyantha is being used traditionally to ameliorate painful inflammatory conditions but have not been yet explored experimentally in the treatment of arthritis. Although plant extracts or individual compounds derived from plants exhibit high potential but the underlying molecular mechanism has not been sufficiently elucidated. There is a need to identify the active principals of these medicines as potential chemotherapeutic agents and monitor the safety of these active constituents [18]. Thus, we need a scientific approach towards phytotherapeutics to deliver the components in a sustained manner by formulating novel drug delivery systems so as to increase patient compliance and minimize the need for repeated administration.